Brookfield, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Cycle Brookfield addressed bicycle safety concerns along several north-south corridors where crashes were concentrated. These concerns created added risk for residents who bike for daily travel, including older adults. The group organized three structured bike audits that brought together volunteers of different ages and abilities to document conditions and identify hazards. Using a standardized audit approach, participants developed specific recommendations such as improved crossings, clearer signage and better connections, then presented those findings to village leaders ahead of planned roadway resurfacing. The project built local capacity by training residents to spot safety issues and contribute meaningfully to transportation decisions. With audit recommendations already under review for upcoming projects, the work is positioned to influence near term street improvements and strengthen ongoing collaboration between Cycle Brookfield and local officials.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Hatfield, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Hatfield lacked safe bike routes, leaving cyclists-including older adults-without reliable infrastructure. To address this, the group led six bike audits at eight intersections, engaging residents and municipal leaders. Findings were presented at borough and county meetings and will guide new bike lanes, racks and signage. Recommendations will feed into the Bike More, Drive Less project and future grant applications. Local officials expressed strong interest, and a manufacturing site manager testified about employees safety needs, underscoring the urgency for action.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Baltimore, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: Unsafe street conditions made walking and biking difficult in Mount Clare, especially for older adults navigating fast traffic and limited cycling infrastructure. Mount Clare Community Council organized a volunteer-led bike audit to document these risks and bring resident experiences into local planning. Volunteers completed intersection traffic counts, ride-along audits and walk audits that captured how speeding and driver behavior affect daily travel. New virtual meeting equipment also expanded access, drawing more older adults and retirees into neighborhood discussions. The findings helped advance a planned cycle track on Pratt Street and informed a broader neighborhood plan with additional cycling improvements. One participant age 50-plus said the audit encouraged him to start biking and speak out about the need for traffic calming after seeing the dangers firsthand.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.